Senior Mental Health Officer

Job Description

IRC BACKGROUND:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home. The IRC has been working in Uganda since 1998 supporting IDPs, refugees and various institutions in the country notably the government, community based organizations, the civil society and the private sector. The current program portfolio in Uganda includes health, economic recovery and development, protection, and prevention and response to gender-based violence (GBV). IRC has its country office in Kampala and works in Yumbe/Bidibidi, Arua/Imvepi and Omugo, Kitgum, Moroto, Kiryandongo and Kyegegwa/Kyaka.

IRC is the lead health, nutrition and protection IP for UNHCR implementing in the whole of Bidibidi settlement. The IRC is part of the inter-agency coordination forum as well as participating in the various technical working groups at settlement and district level (Nutrition, Mental health, health, Protection, GBV). With funding from BPRM and UNHCR, the IRC is implementing Women Protection and Empowerment activities including the provision of comprehensive response services to survivors of GBV and conducting GBV prevention activities within Bidibidi settlement.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

- The SMHO shall oversee the implementation of the SH+ project, provide clinical MH technical guidance to SH+ facilitators and specialized mental health support to Persons of Concern in need of clinical mental health support. - The SMHO shall lead the MH field team, provide technical oversight in MHPSS programming in Health and ensure that standard and sustainable practices are adapted to ensure Quality MHPSS services to the beneficiaries. - The SMHO shall oversee the integration of mental health and psychosocial support in primary health care and covid-19 adaptation response across all IRC run Health facilities, IQC’s and CTU’s. - The SMHO shall take charge, account, and ensure effective utilization of resources allocated to the MH sector. - He / she shall represent the organization in MHPSS working group and other coordination platforms within and outside the settlement/ district once warranted. - He / she shall conduct supportive supervision to SH+ facilitators, zonal psychiatric clinical officers to ensure UpToDate and POC centered practices are adapted the PCOs. - He /she shall participate in the proposal writing to ensure that the sector attracts more funding. - Identifying capacity needs for mental health and general health staff, planning and facilitating mentorships for community structures in accordance with programmatic objectives. - Standardize MHPSS monitoring and evaluation practices, program data collection tools and analysis in line with IRC required and recommended MHPSS indicators, donor indicators, and global standards. - Collecting information and data from the field and activities and prepare reports on a regular basis; weekly, Monthly, Quarterly, Midyear and Annually– using the appropriate reporting tools. - The Sr. MH Officer will regularly liaise with IRC MHPSS Technical Advisor and country technical leads in health to ensure smooth program implementation. - Actively participate in any relevant advocacy and internal/external coordination mechanisms. - The Sr. MH Officer reports regularly to the deputy health manager/health coordinator.

Other

- Other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Deadline for receiving applications is October 7th, 2021

Qualifications

- The qualified candidate is a mental health professional (psychologist, clinical social worker, or senior psychiatric clinical officer) with experience in MHPSS program management and coordination in humanitarian settings.

- Minimum of 3 years of professional experience managing and coordinating MHPSS projects in humanitarian settings. - Knowledgeable in and experience following IASC Guidelines on MHPSS in Emergencies and international best practices on the integration of MHPSS into primary health care settings. - Training experience required; capacity and proven track record in national staff and partner training and capacity-building. - Strong organizational and supervisory skills. - Ability to work within a team structure or independently, flexible, and can cope with stressful workload. - Honest, hardworking and a self-motivated person - Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work within different cultural environments. - Experience working in the region - An excellent command of verbal and written English